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Cell-Phone Use and Self-Reported Hypertension: National Health Interview Survey 2008

Int J Hypertens. · 2011 · Benefit · Low evidence

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BenefitLow evidencePaper 6654

Cell-phone use was inversely associated with self-reported hypertension after adjusting for multiple confounders. Predominantly cell-phone users had a lower odds ratio (0.86) of hypertension compared to nonusers. The association was stronger in women, those u…

Study snapshot

PublicationInt J Hypertens. · 2011
Study typecross_sectional
Reported directionBenefit
Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Background. Cell-phone usage has increased dramatically over the last decade, along with a rising public concern over the health effects of using this device. The association between cell-phone usage and hypertension has not been examined before. Methods. We analysed data from 21,135 adults aged ≥18 years who participated in the 2008 National Health Interview Survey. Based on reported cell-phone use, participants were categorized as cell-phone nonusers, predominantly landline users, dual users of cell phone and landline, and predominantly cell-phone users. The main outcome of interest was self-reported physician-diagnosed hypertension (n = 6,793). Results. 43.5% of the participants were cell-phone nonusers, while 13.8% were predominantly cell-phone users. We found that cell-phone use was inversely associated with hypertension, independent of age, sex, race/ethnicity, smoking, alcohol consumption, education, body mass index (BMI), and physical activity. Compared to cell-phone nonusers, the multivariable odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of hypertension was 0.86 (0.75–0.98, P trend  =  .005) among predominantly cell-phone users. This inverse association between cell-phone use and hypertension was stronger in women, those aged <60 years, whites, and those with BMI <25 kg/m2. Conclusion. We found that cell-phone usage was protectively associated with self-reported hypertension in a nationally representative sample of US adults.

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typecross_sectional
Effect directionbenefit
PopulationUS adults aged 18 years and older
Sample size21135
ExposureNot supplied
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 30% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Cell-phone use was inversely associated with self-reported hypertension after adjusting for multiple confounders. Predominantly cell-phone users had a lower odds ratio (0.86) of hypertension compared to nonusers. The association was stronger in women, those under 60 years, whites, and those with BMI under 25 kg/m2.

Outcomes measured

  • self-reported physician-diagnosed hypertension

Limitations

  • Cross-sectional design limits causal inference
  • Hypertension was self-reported, which may introduce reporting bias
  • No direct measurement of EMF exposure or dose
  • Potential residual confounding despite adjustments
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "cross_sectional",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": "cell phone",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "US adults aged 18 years and older",
  "sample_size": 21135,
  "outcomes": [
    "self-reported physician-diagnosed hypertension"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Cell-phone use was inversely associated with self-reported hypertension after adjusting for multiple confounders. Predominantly cell-phone users had a lower odds ratio (0.86) of hypertension compared to nonusers. The association was stronger in women, those under 60 years, whites, and those with BMI under 25 kg/m2.",
  "effect_direction": "benefit",
  "limitations": [
    "Cross-sectional design limits causal inference",
    "Hypertension was self-reported, which may introduce reporting bias",
    "No direct measurement of EMF exposure or dose",
    "Potential residual confounding despite adjustments"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.3,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "cell phone",
    "hypertension",
    "cross-sectional",
    "epidemiology",
    "self-reported health"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}
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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.4061/2011/360415
PubMed: 21629867

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